With his sub-four minute mile Bannister broke a psychological barrier

The issue here is the sequence of events; whether Bannister inspired after breaking the barrier or he inspired as he broke the barrier simultaneously. As you may see, simultaneously does not make sense here. We have to take that the breaking and inspiring are two separate events and that inspiring followed breaking. Hence the need for the conjunction ‘and’

Inspiring does not just modify the barrier alone as has been remarked. It points to the entire idea that includes the breaking of the barrier; the modification is ok in B. But still B is not the answer because it expresses the sequence of breaking and inspiring simultaneously. D is the best answer
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if this is a Gmat question, then my name is not Carcass and I shall quit as a moderator of this board.

Regards
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I need an 'and' here.

E is out because of -ing and D is left.

Why is B incorrect? Isn't the underlined part modifying the noun and the action as a whole?
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I am also leaning towards B as comma is present in the non-underlined part.

It's just my gut feeling, I'm not that good at english grammar to give an explanation

'Inspiring' is modifying 'psychological barrier' when it should modify 'Bannister' ?

I don't like it either.

My choice is B too.

Source?

Source is Majortests.com.

See this thread in MGMAT where a staff vouches for option B:

https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/wit ... t7167.html
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With his sub-four minute mile Bannister broke a psychological barrier, inspiring thousands of others to attempt overcoming seemingly insurmountable hurdles.


A. inspiring thousands of others to attempt overcoming

B. inspiring thousands of others to attempt to overcome

C. inspiring thousands of others to overcome

D. and inspired thousands of others to attempt to overcome

E. and inspired thousands of others to attempt overcoming
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hahaha..ROFL..please dont say that Carcass.. u r like an asset for gmatclubbers mate..!

i came accross this question when i was solving a few on the website www.majortest.com..


Here's there explanation...

In A the word ‘inspiring’ seems incorrectly to refer to the word ‘barrier’; also the expression ‘attempt overcoming’ is unidiomatic. In D, the correct answer, ‘inspired’ is correctly parallel to ‘broke’, and ‘attempt to overcome’ is idiomatic.
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Dear Vards,

forget about that test or other similar tests.

Gmat is really a serious exam and to find a reliable material is really difficult. I mean: Gmat spends millions of dollars to set up the questions, both quant and verbal and even the most important prep company out there makes a really good job but no more than that. A honest job but is far less than they can efford in comparison of GMAC

That say, I am even a bit skeptical about material from Veritas and MGMAT though is the best material we have. Take my words with a grain of salt but to study bad material is even worse than not to study at all.
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U made a good point mate...bad material is worse than not to study and is next to suicide...thank u so much mate...wont b posting any more questions from that source...
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This question is available on other websites as well : link :
https://www.lofoya.com/Verbal-Test-Quest ... n/l3p1.htm

Bannister broke a psychological barrier, inspiring ...
Here, because of comma before -ing modifier, ing can't modify barrier; ing modifier is modifying the subject and the action of preceding clause.

Answer should be B or C.

Really, not a good source.

Carcass, you made my day!
I felt lost, after reading this question!

Heard of the term, "free...and worth every penny!", this question reminds me of that! Not worth spending time on unreliable questions..

Thank you!
Rgds
Soumya

Between B and C, why C is incorrect?
meaning of option B -> Bannister inspired others to "attempt".....
meaning of option C -> Bannister inspired others to "overcome".....

correct me if i'm wrong.

The underlined part of the original sentence needs to be corrected.

The answer cannot be D or E because there is not subject in the second clause.

_ing after a comma in not incorrect as the phrase modifies the whole clause.

A. The correct idiom is “attempt to”
C. changes the meaning of the original sentence.

So B is the correct choice.
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I don't think OA marked is correct here. Can someone please help me get the correct answer? I think C should be correct, but B could also be correct. Please help.
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Yes B and C are better than D. Using a conjunction "and" does not depict the relation between "broke" and " inspire". A present participle modifier shows this relation correctly (an effect of breaking was inspiring.)

Between B and C, B may be considered better because the inspiration is to attempt - not a solid reason to eliminate C though.

OA has been changed.

Thanks brother.

Shouldn't we say C is more concise and better than B? Don't you think 'to overcome' is better than 'an attempt to overcome'?
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